NASA

Description of Tool or App

The Vision of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is, “To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind” (NASA, 2013). Recently NASA created an App for Android, iPhone and iPad to help humankind connect to the wealth of information that the organization has collected over the decades, all in one easy spot. According to the NASA website, its new application, “collects, customizes and delivers an extensive selection of dynamically updated mission information, images, videos and Twitter feeds from various online NASA sources in a convenient mobile package” (NASA, 2013).


Features of Tool or App

Here are some of the features for students and teachers, according to the NASA App website (NASA, 2013).

Information about the planets and objects in our solar system
Over 157,000 of the latest images
Current News and Feature stories
Live Streaming of NASA TV
On demand NASA Videos from around the agency
Latest NASA Tweets from around the agency
Current Visible Passes for the International Space Station (ISS) and notifications
Current NASA Mission Information
Launch Information & Countdown clocks
Facebook® Connect and Integrated Twitter™ client for easy sharing
Map and links to all of the NASA visitor centers
ISS and Earth Orbiting Satellite Trackers
Featured content section
Third Rock Radio (alternative rock radio station)



Benefits of Tool or App

Here are some of the benefits for students and teachers

  • Students can connect with everything NASA, including images, audio/video, and more to research topics, present projects, or help with background information
  • Students can study on the go with this app in their back pocket or in their bookbag, everything Space is with them all the time
  • Students can connect the app to Facebook and Twitter to extend learning to their own network of classmates, teachers, or parents
  • Teachers can stay up to date on the latest NASA missions and information so lessons are never outdated
  • Teachers can stream video of NASA TV live into the classroom

Check out these resources to see more benefits of the NASA App HD:


Constraints of Tool or App

The NASA App is light on the resources for elementary age students and teachers. There are tons of images and videos for middle school and above, but not as much for the lower grades.

How To Use Tool or App

1. Watch a brief tutorial video about the App (scroll down to video).
2. Download the App in iTunes.
3. Sync to iPad (if not downloaded directly to the device).
4. Play using the recommendations from the tutorial.

Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)

These screenshots are from the NASA App.

NASA1.png

NASA2.png



IDEAS for Tool or App

Student |

  • Research information projects
  • Illustrate key elements of space exploration and planetary motion
  • Check launch dates

Teacher |

  • Live streaming of videos
  • Up to date information for lessons
  • Quick links for subject areas

OTHER |
Reference
NASA. (2013, February 27). Retrieved February 27, 2013 from http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/what_does_nasa_do.html